Buying a 2nd hand MSFFW

A local seller has a ('hardly-used, very good condition') Microsoft Wheel for sale at a bargaintastic �20. I don't know if it's the Gameport or USB version, so; - Are there really two versions (gameport and USB) of this wheel? (- And assuming it is the Gameport version, any problems I need to be aware of?) - Any issues with XP? - Will it work with GPL, GTR, NR2003, Live For Speed and RBR? ++ Fillyourboots

> - Are there really two versions (gameport and USB) of this wheel? I think so > (- And assuming it is the Gameport version, any problems I need to be > aware of?) > > - Any issues with XP? I seem to recall the gameport version doesnt work with XP? > - Will it work with GPL, GTR, NR2003, Live For Speed and RBR? Would have thought so if its the USB Robin

I think so I seem to recall the gameport version doesnt work with XP? Would have thought so if its the USB Robin

Robin Lord wrote:

Quoted text (16 lines)

>> - Are there really two versions (gameport and USB) of this wheel? > > I think so > >> (- And assuming it is the Gameport version, any problems I need to be >> aware of?) >> >> - Any issues with XP? > > I seem to recall the gameport version doesnt work with XP? > >> - Will it work with GPL, GTR, NR2003, Live For Speed and RBR? > > Would have thought so if its the USB > > Robin

Have just got back in the house, wheel is here. Can't wait to test it out. ++ Fillyourboots

Fillyourboots wrote:

Quoted text (22 lines)

> Robin Lord wrote: >>> - Are there really two versions (gameport and USB) of this wheel? >> >> I think so >> >>> (- And assuming it is the Gameport version, any problems I need to >>> be aware of?) >>> >>> - Any issues with XP? >> >> I seem to recall the gameport version doesnt work with XP? >> >>> - Will it work with GPL, GTR, NR2003, Live For Speed and RBR? >> >> Would have thought so if its the USB >> >> Robin > > Have just got back in the house, wheel is here. Can't wait to test it > out. > ++ > Fillyourboots

You utter, utter, bunch of c*nts ;-) Now I see what you've all been so excited about. This rocks. I wish I'd done this years ago. I think I have a pedal problem though, the brake is on one side of the axis and accel on the other side, (so I wanted to I couldn't push both pedals at the same time) - I assume this is what you mean by split-axis(?). How do I solve this problem? ++ Fillyourboots

> I think I have a pedal problem though, the brake is on one side of the > axis and accel on the other side, (so I wanted to I couldn't push both > pedals at the same time) - I assume this is what you mean by > split-axis(?). How do I solve this problem? I'd guess it would be under the game control options somewhere, can't help you anymore as I have a Logitech wingman FF, but thats where it is for that. Have fun! Robin

Robin Lord wrote:

Quoted text (11 lines)

>> I think I have a pedal problem though, the brake is on one side of >> the axis and accel on the other side, (so I wanted to I couldn't >> push both pedals at the same time) - I assume this is what you mean >> by split-axis(?). How do I solve this problem? > > I'd guess it would be under the game control options somewhere, can't > help you anymore as I have a Logitech wingman FF, but thats where it > is for that. > Have fun! > > Robin

What I'm looking at in XP is wheel essentially handled as though it were a joystick. There is a box with a crosshair in the centre - steering moves the crosshair left and right, accel moves up and brake moves down. There has to be a better way/ ++ Fillyourboots

Fillyourboots wrote:

Quoted text (20 lines)

> Robin Lord wrote: >>> I think I have a pedal problem though, the brake is on one side of >>> the axis and accel on the other side, (so I wanted to I couldn't >>> push both pedals at the same time) - I assume this is what you mean >>> by split-axis(?). How do I solve this problem? >> >> I'd guess it would be under the game control options somewhere, can't >> help you anymore as I have a Logitech wingman FF, but thats where it >> is for that. >> Have fun! >> >> Robin > > What I'm looking at in XP is wheel essentially handled as though it > were a joystick. There is a box with a crosshair in the centre - > steering moves the crosshair left and right, accel moves up and brake > moves down. There has to be a better way/ > > ++ > Fillyourboots

I should also add that I'm using XP, which recognised the wheel straight away. The driver disc keeps crashing, so I've been unable to use it.

If it's the gameport version don't try installing the drivers on XP - they don't work. Just got into the XP game controllers control panel and add a "Microsoft SideWinder (Auto Detect)". From memory (it's been a while since I had the Sidewinder wheel) it should give you split axis. Mr Q ------------------- Fillyourboots wrote:

Quoted text (29 lines)

> Fillyourboots wrote: > >>Robin Lord wrote: >> >>>>I think I have a pedal problem though, the brake is on one side of >>>>the axis and accel on the other side, (so I wanted to I couldn't >>>>push both pedals at the same time) - I assume this is what you mean >>>>by split-axis(?). How do I solve this problem? >>> >>>I'd guess it would be under the game control options somewhere, can't >>>help you anymore as I have a Logitech wingman FF, but thats where it >>>is for that. >>>Have fun! >>> >>>Robin >> >>What I'm looking at in XP is wheel essentially handled as though it >>were a joystick. There is a box with a crosshair in the centre - >>steering moves the crosshair left and right, accel moves up and brake >>moves down. There has to be a better way/ >> >>++ >>Fillyourboots > > > I should also add that I'm using XP, which recognised the wheel straight > away. The driver disc keeps crashing, so I've been unable to use it. > >

Although XP recognizes it, make sure you install the sidewinder software "Fillyourboots" <[email hidden]> schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:aPbHe.5901$[email hidden]...

Quoted text (25 lines)

> Fillyourboots wrote: >> Robin Lord wrote: >>>> I think I have a pedal problem though, the brake is on one side of >>>> the axis and accel on the other side, (so I wanted to I couldn't >>>> push both pedals at the same time) - I assume this is what you mean >>>> by split-axis(?). How do I solve this problem? >>> >>> I'd guess it would be under the game control options somewhere, can't >>> help you anymore as I have a Logitech wingman FF, but thats where it >>> is for that. >>> Have fun! >>> >>> Robin >> >> What I'm looking at in XP is wheel essentially handled as though it >> were a joystick. There is a box with a crosshair in the centre - >> steering moves the crosshair left and right, accel moves up and brake >> moves down. There has to be a better way/ >> >> ++ >> Fillyourboots > > I should also add that I'm using XP, which recognised the wheel straight > away. The driver disc keeps crashing, so I've been unable to use it. >

And do a search for sidewinder software version 4, but you won't find it at Microsoft's site... Dave "Aka Aka" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:42ee2f90$0$11759$[email hidden]...

Quoted text (32 lines)

> Although XP recognizes it, make sure you install the sidewinder software > > > "Fillyourboots" <[email hidden]> schrieb im Newsbeitrag > news:aPbHe.5901$[email hidden]... > > Fillyourboots wrote: > >> Robin Lord wrote: > >>>> I think I have a pedal problem though, the brake is on one side of > >>>> the axis and accel on the other side, (so I wanted to I couldn't > >>>> push both pedals at the same time) - I assume this is what you mean > >>>> by split-axis(?). How do I solve this problem? > >>> > >>> I'd guess it would be under the game control options somewhere, can't > >>> help you anymore as I have a Logitech wingman FF, but thats where it > >>> is for that. > >>> Have fun! > >>> > >>> Robin > >> > >> What I'm looking at in XP is wheel essentially handled as though it > >> were a joystick. There is a box with a crosshair in the centre - > >> steering moves the crosshair left and right, accel moves up and brake > >> moves down. There has to be a better way/ > >> > >> ++ > >> Fillyourboots > > > > I should also add that I'm using XP, which recognised the wheel straight > > away. The driver disc keeps crashing, so I've been unable to use it. > > > >

If it's the game-port version, let it go. I don't know of any issues with the rest. Make SURE you get the 4.0 software with it. It's not available from MS site and it's hard to find otherwise. -Larry "Fillyourboots" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:PJ5He.19269$[email hidden]...

Quoted text (15 lines)

>A local seller has a ('hardly-used, very good condition') Microsoft Wheel >for sale at a bargaintastic �20. I don't know if it's the Gameport or USB >version, so; > > - Are there really two versions (gameport and USB) of this wheel? > (- And assuming it is the Gameport version, any problems I need to be > aware of?) > > - Any issues with XP? > > - Will it work with GPL, GTR, NR2003, Live For Speed and RBR? > > ++ > Fillyourboots >

You need to go into the profiler software and set up a profile for each game, and set the "Combined Axis" option to off. -Larry "Fillyourboots" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:cdaHe.23312$[email hidden]...

Quoted text (37 lines)

> Fillyourboots wrote: >> Robin Lord wrote: >>>> - Are there really two versions (gameport and USB) of this wheel? >>> >>> I think so >>> >>>> (- And assuming it is the Gameport version, any problems I need to >>>> be aware of?) >>>> >>>> - Any issues with XP? >>> >>> I seem to recall the gameport version doesnt work with XP? >>> >>>> - Will it work with GPL, GTR, NR2003, Live For Speed and RBR? >>> >>> Would have thought so if its the USB >>> >>> Robin >> >> Have just got back in the house, wheel is here. Can't wait to test it >> out. >> ++ >> Fillyourboots > > You utter, utter, bunch of c*nts ;-) Now I see what you've all been so > excited about. > > This rocks. I wish I'd done this years ago. > > I think I have a pedal problem though, the brake is on one side of the > axis and accel on the other side, (so I wanted to I couldn't push both > pedals at the same time) - I assume this is what you mean by > split-axis(?). How do I solve this problem? > > ++ > Fillyourboots >

Fillyourboots!!! You must enlighten us, is it the USB version? if so the software you need to run the wheel might be on the cd that came with it, you would want to install it, if it is the gameport, DONT install it. If usbe version, the sidewinder software installer should run, although it will say it is NOT FOR YOUR VERSION OF WINDOS, with an (ingore or cancel) type of response box.. Make it go on anyway. Let it also install the profiles. what happens now is you get a GPL profile (great base profile I use for GPL, nascar, with some chnges to what buttons are mapped and what keys are sent to game, I can even use it for RBR, and manyther driving sims.) BTW: Yes the XP will see the wheel (as a limited support 2 axis joystick, but not fully support all the 'configurable options like FF strength, button/keystroke mapping, centering forces, and seperate/combined wheels without the SideWinder Software. However, IF you have the older version CDROM, it may actually still not install correctly or at all (the crash?). If this is the case ( AND VERY IMPORTANTLY, you have the USB WHeel), then I can email you the install folder files (minus directx7 was at the time?) In either case, it is about 7-10 meg at most zipped, for some reason I think it is even more like 4 meg without dx7 folder. I keep a disk here at work I know I have zipped the install folder to 2 other lucky guys in this group before... Hope this gets you started. If need more, piece this addy together send me an email... sting32 which is at gmail, dotcom. He enlightened us with:

Quoted text (25 lines)

> Fillyourboots wrote: >> Robin Lord wrote: >>>> I think I have a pedal problem though, the brake is on one side of >>>> the axis and accel on the other side, (so I wanted to I couldn't >>>> push both pedals at the same time) - I assume this is what you mean >>>> by split-axis(?). How do I solve this problem? >>> >>> I'd guess it would be under the game control options somewhere, >>> can't help you anymore as I have a Logitech wingman FF, but thats >>> where it is for that. >>> Have fun! >>> >>> Robin >> >> What I'm looking at in XP is wheel essentially handled as though it >> were a joystick. There is a box with a crosshair in the centre - >> steering moves the crosshair left and right, accel moves up and brake >> moves down. There has to be a better way/ >> >> ++ >> Fillyourboots > > I should also add that I'm using XP, which recognised the wheel > straight away. The driver disc keeps crashing, so I've been unable to > use it.

Here's the link for the version he needs. Should sort out his problems. -- David G Fisher "Dave St.Onge" <1@1> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > And do a search for sidewinder software version 4, but you won't find it > at > Microsoft's site... > > Dave > > "Aka Aka" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:42ee2f90$0$11759$[email hidden]... >> Although XP recognizes it, make sure you install the sidewinder software >> >> >> "Fillyourboots" <[email hidden]> schrieb im Newsbeitrag >> news:aPbHe.5901$[email hidden]... >> > Fillyourboots wrote: >> >> Robin Lord wrote: >> >>>> I think I have a pedal problem though, the brake is on one side of >> >>>> the axis and accel on the other side, (so I wanted to I couldn't >> >>>> push both pedals at the same time) - I assume this is what you mean >> >>>> by split-axis(?). How do I solve this problem? >> >>> >> >>> I'd guess it would be under the game control options somewhere, can't >> >>> help you anymore as I have a Logitech wingman FF, but thats where it >> >>> is for that. >> >>> Have fun! >> >>> >> >>> Robin >> >> >> >> What I'm looking at in XP is wheel essentially handled as though it >> >> were a joystick. There is a box with a crosshair in the centre - >> >> steering moves the crosshair left and right, accel moves up and brake >> >> moves down. There has to be a better way/ >> >> >> >> ++ >> >> Fillyourboots >> > >> > I should also add that I'm using XP, which recognised the wheel >> > straight >> > away. The driver disc keeps crashing, so I've been unable to use it. >> > >> >> > >

Sorry. :) http://www.techimo.com/forum/t47496.html -- David G Fisher "David G Fisher" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Here's the link for the version he needs. > > Should sort out his problems. > > > -- > David G Fisher > > > "Dave St.Onge" <1@1> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... >> And do a search for sidewinder software version 4, but you won't find it >> at >> Microsoft's site... >> >> Dave >> >> "Aka Aka" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >> news:42ee2f90$0$11759$[email hidden]... >>> Although XP recognizes it, make sure you install the sidewinder software >>> >>> >>> "Fillyourboots" <[email hidden]> schrieb im Newsbeitrag >>> news:aPbHe.5901$[email hidden]... >>> > Fillyourboots wrote: >>> >> Robin Lord wrote: >>> >>>> I think I have a pedal problem though, the brake is on one side of >>> >>>> the axis and accel on the other side, (so I wanted to I couldn't >>> >>>> push both pedals at the same time) - I assume this is what you mean >>> >>>> by split-axis(?). How do I solve this problem? >>> >>> >>> >>> I'd guess it would be under the game control options somewhere, >>> >>> can't >>> >>> help you anymore as I have a Logitech wingman FF, but thats where it >>> >>> is for that. >>> >>> Have fun! >>> >>> >>> >>> Robin >>> >> >>> >> What I'm looking at in XP is wheel essentially handled as though it >>> >> were a joystick. There is a box with a crosshair in the centre - >>> >> steering moves the crosshair left and right, accel moves up and brake >>> >> moves down. There has to be a better way/ >>> >> >>> >> ++ >>> >> Fillyourboots >>> > >>> > I should also add that I'm using XP, which recognised the wheel >>> > straight >>> > away. The driver disc keeps crashing, so I've been unable to use it. >>> > >>> >>> >> >> > >

Sorry again. The two links in the thread on that forum no longer work. Don't know where to find it. -- David G Fisher "David G Fisher" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Sorry. :) > > http://www.techimo.com/forum/t47496.html > > > -- > David G Fisher > > "David G Fisher" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... >> Here's the link for the version he needs. >> >> Should sort out his problems. >> >> >> -- >> David G Fisher >> >> >> "Dave St.Onge" <1@1> wrote in message >> news:[email hidden]... >>> And do a search for sidewinder software version 4, but you won't find it >>> at >>> Microsoft's site... >>> >>> Dave >>> >>> "Aka Aka" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >>> news:42ee2f90$0$11759$[email hidden]... >>>> Although XP recognizes it, make sure you install the sidewinder >>>> software >>>> >>>> >>>> "Fillyourboots" <[email hidden]> schrieb im Newsbeitrag >>>> news:aPbHe.5901$[email hidden]... >>>> > Fillyourboots wrote: >>>> >> Robin Lord wrote: >>>> >>>> I think I have a pedal problem though, the brake is on one side of >>>> >>>> the axis and accel on the other side, (so I wanted to I couldn't >>>> >>>> push both pedals at the same time) - I assume this is what you >>>> >>>> mean >>>> >>>> by split-axis(?). How do I solve this problem? >>>> >>> >>>> >>> I'd guess it would be under the game control options somewhere, >>>> >>> can't >>>> >>> help you anymore as I have a Logitech wingman FF, but thats where >>>> >>> it >>>> >>> is for that. >>>> >>> Have fun! >>>> >>> >>>> >>> Robin >>>> >> >>>> >> What I'm looking at in XP is wheel essentially handled as though it >>>> >> were a joystick. There is a box with a crosshair in the centre - >>>> >> steering moves the crosshair left and right, accel moves up and >>>> >> brake >>>> >> moves down. There has to be a better way/ >>>> >> >>>> >> ++ >>>> >> Fillyourboots >>>> > >>>> > I should also add that I'm using XP, which recognised the wheel >>>> > straight >>>> > away. The driver disc keeps crashing, so I've been unable to use it. >>>> > >>>> >>>> >>> >>> >> >> > >

Thanks to everyone for all their advice thus far, I'll try to sum up the progress to date. First it's worth acknowledging the lovely couple who made this possible. The seller told me that he bought the wheel a couple of years ago for �120, but was unable to make it function without crashing his pc, so the wheel was put aside then ultimately ignored as they were gifted a lovely little girl and he a Playstation (I don't believe these events were related...). The net result was that they were selling a hardly used, great condition and boxed (in practically mint original packaging) Sidewinder for 'get shot of it' money at �20. It's nice to get a bargain, but nicer still to meet genuinely warm and honest people. The wheel itself is the USB version, and the included disc is the 4.0 software (with Monster Truck Madness 2 also on there). The disc crashes every time, though results have varied. Where last night the process crashed at the 50% mark, tonight the directory structure is on my Start menu, but no programs within it (thought they may be available somewhere on the system as my list of programs shows Sidewinder software with a 3.95MB footprint.) I'm using the XP driver which recognised the wheel straight away but without the additional features (Profiler, i suppose) which make the difference, Another poster emailed me with a link to a bit of software which should work, so I'll try that when I have time. But issues with pedal usage notwithstanding, wheels rock! ++ Fillyourboots

Fillyourboots wrote: > - Are there really two versions (gameport and USB) of this wheel? > (- And assuming it is the Gameport version, any problems I need to be aware > of?)Actually there's 3 versions of the wheel (or 2.5 if you like) -Gameport -USB (Same as above except connection) -USB Red - came about 2002/2003. Wheel rubbers are red, the others are grey, afaik there's no other difference It's ok wheel... broke gas spring on the 1st -> RMA, 2nd lasted about 2 years, nothing actually broke, it just has so much play and the rubbers are worn through and peeled. Now I have DFP and wouldn't change it for anything - until BRD Speed 7 comes, but that thing costs like 10 times the DFP, so it really isn't an option for me.

ONE thing I do recall is remove the wheel's usb from machine reboot, run the CD, at a point it will ask to plug in. Might help. IMHO, you have a problem with your PC, either bugware from the net or something, never have I heard or had a problem using the 4.0 disk nor XP or win98 for that matter. (never did on winME though). FWI, I have installed to locally 14 or more other machines (plus 4 different hardware and XP (home and Pro) at different update versions since it came out, of my current machine, plus the son's old pc of mine. if the program is crashing upon install I suggest you have a program (legitimate like Antivirus SW, or rogue application, like a bug) maybe disable the AV software while instaling? as maybe that is not liking where sidewinder install it is being poked. It should skip the directx. you could google for an app called processview or 'end it all' apps, try to get past this. Last thing could be a unreadable sector on the CD. scratch or anything? keep me informed, I will watch this thread now... Fillyourboots enlightened us with:

Quoted text (29 lines)

> Thanks to everyone for all their advice thus far, I'll try to sum up > the progress to date. > > First it's worth acknowledging the lovely couple who made this > possible. The seller told me that he bought the wheel a couple of > years ago for �120, but was unable to make it function without > crashing his pc, so the wheel was put aside then ultimately ignored > as they were gifted a lovely little girl and he a Playstation (I > don't believe these events were related...). The net result was that > they were selling a hardly used, great condition and boxed (in > practically mint original packaging) Sidewinder for 'get shot of it' > money at �20. It's nice to get a bargain, but nicer still to meet > genuinely warm and honest people. > The wheel itself is the USB version, and the included disc is the 4.0 > software (with Monster Truck Madness 2 also on there). The disc > crashes every time, though results have varied. Where last night the > process crashed at the 50% mark, tonight the directory structure is > on my Start menu, but no programs within it (thought they may be > available somewhere on the system as my list of programs shows > Sidewinder software with a 3.95MB footprint.) > I'm using the XP driver which recognised the wheel straight away but > without the additional features (Profiler, i suppose) which make the > difference, Another poster emailed me with a link to a bit of > software which should work, so I'll try that when I have time. > > But issues with pedal usage notwithstanding, wheels rock! > > ++ > Fillyourboots

Are you sure the software is crashing and not just giving you a warning that it doesn't work with xp or win2000? IIRC there was an error message when installing and you just disregard it and install anyway. If that's not the case then you should try and locate the file somewhere else. It's a great wheel and should last except for the rubber grips (that's my only complaint with it).

Mr Q wrote: > If it's the gameport version don't try installing the drivers on XP - > they don't work. Just got into the XP game controllers control panel and > add a "Microsoft SideWinder (Auto Detect)". From memory (it's been a > while since I had the Sidewinder wheel) it should give you split axis. The XP game controller software doesn't even give you and option for split axis and is next to useless for wheels. Install the sidewinder software.

whipe the 'sweaty palms goo' off the wheels' rubber grips once in a while, and you should be fine. DJRJR enlightened us with: > Are you sure the software is crashing and not just giving you a > warning that it doesn't work with xp or win2000? IIRC there was an > error message when installing and you just disregard it and install > anyway. If that's not the case then you should try and locate the > file somewhere else. It's a great wheel and should last except for > the rubber grips (that's my only complaint with it).